Actor Isha Koppikar recently sparked a conversation on social media after describing herself as a proud ‘andhbhakt’ (blind devotee). In a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, she clarified that her devotion was not directed towards any political party but towards the country and its progress. BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut has now voiced her support for Isha’s comments.Kangana shared Isha’s video on her Instagram Stories and explained why she identified with the sentiment. She wrote, “Wow well explained for me as – in high school protested against a teacher who used to hit children in head with stick during assembly, protested against 26/11 violence. Protested against Nirbhaya brutality. Never blamed parents for any limitation that may have come my way. Instead uplifted whole family to the same standard of life that I earned for myself.”She continued, “Identifies being a bhakt of almost anyone who I meet, I love my country I love my people. I simply love my life.”In her original video, Isha explained her use of the term ‘andhbhakt’ and said, “Yes, I am an andhbhakt. If it is bhakti (devotion) to love your country and want to see it progress, then yes, I am proud to be a bhakt… andhbhakt. But my blind devotion is not towards any political party; it’s towards my country. Nation first. I can question the government and disagree with its policies. And still love my country wholeheartedly.” The term ‘andhbhakt’ is generally used to describe someone perceived as a blind supporter of a political leader or party.Isha further spoke about her pride in India and said, “This country is my home, where I have earned and continue to earn a livelihood and where I continue to get opportunities. So, I am not ashamed to be proud of my country. Wherever you may live, learn to love that place, respect that place, and contribute to it. Be proud of the home you choose. Because patriotism is not just saying, I love my country. It is doing something that improves your country.”Kangana’s latest comments also come against the backdrop of her earlier criticism of Gen Z protests at Jantar Mantar. Last month, she had strongly criticised some of the protesters, saying, “Never in my life have I seen so much ugliness in one place. These reels from Gen Z protests are puke-inducing. The way they speak and the kind of language they are using… never in my life have I seen everything in each and every frame so jarring and so crass all at once.…I call them Generation Gutter. Some of them have nothing to offer to the system. They are not good at studies…,”Her remarks subsequently drew backlash. Kangana later clarified that she was not making a sweeping comment about everyone who participated in the Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET-UG paper leak. Speaking to news agency ANI on Wednesday, she said she “specifically referred to some people or some women”.She further explained, “Those who call themselves cockroaches, and we say that cockroaches emerge from gutters, what is wrong with that? My point is simply this: if people label themselves as cockroaches, and we say the gutter is their home, why should they be offended? I certainly don’t consider myself a cockroach. If someone were to say I live in a gutter, I would deny it. But if someone claims to be a cockroach, then naturally, they would live in a gutter. Where else? But to claim that I was referring to all youth is simply not the case,”
